Wokewash

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Writer and satirist Heydon Prowse turns his attention to corporate Wokewashing.

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Wokewash: Mind Your Business

Mind Your Business

BBC Radio 4 - Wokewash, Mind Your Business

Writer and satirist Heydon Prowse looks into big corporations and mental health.

Writer and satirist Heydon Prowse finds out what happens when big companies talk about mental health.

In the final episode of the series, writer and satirist Heydon Prowse takes a tongue-in-cheek look at corporations and mental health. It’s one of the most talked about issues of our times, but when big business says it cares about our mental wellbeing, does it really mean it? 

From emotionally-accepting fast food to kindness clothing, brands nowadays are keen to trumpet their strong support for the mental health of their staff and customers, even building meditation pods in the middle of delivery warehouses. Speaking to experts, corporate consultants, campaigners and more, Heydon puts big business on the couch and asks the multinationals to open up about it all.

He’ll also examine the fast growing wellness industry. Whether it’s a meditation app or a listening-session start up, companies are promising to improve our mental health and profiting while they do it. How do we tell a cynical cash in from an attempt to change things for the better?

If you need support with mental health, details are available at bbc.co.uk/actionline

Contributors:
Dr Mara Einstein, Queens College CUNY and author of Compassion, Inc.
Kati Morton Therapist, Mental Health Speaker and Youtuber
Dr Ashley Frawley, Researcher, University of Kent and author of The Semiotics of Happiness
Geoff Norcott, Comedian, Political Commentator and author of The British Bloke, Decoded
Priya Anand, Bloomberg News

Producer: Sam Peach

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